Confidence in meeting UK’s fifth carbon budget worsens

Five times as many energy professionals expect the UK to fall short in meeting its fifth carbon budget than a year ago, according to new research by the Energy Institute (EI).

That is despite the government publishing its Clean Growth Strategy last year, with the professionals ranking energy policy as the single biggest challenge facing the industry.

It was also found that just one-tenth think the clean growth and industrial strategies address their priorities, while a third are not even sufficiently aware of what they include.

“Confidence in meeting the UK’s carbon targets has worsened,” EI president, Malcolm Brinded, said. “Past policy switches have created caution in many future investments."

The fifth carbon budget commits the UK to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 57% on 1990 levels by 2032, with the EI finding more than 80% of energy professionals expect the country to fall short.

Despite a further year of negotiations with Brussels, energy professionals also believe a “fog of uncertainty” around Brexit has intensified, with this rated the second greatest challenge facing the industry.

Fears around access to skilled workers and the UK’s future relationship with the single energy market have worsened, although opportunities post-Brexit were also identified.

These include the ability to negotiate new trade agreements with non-EU countries, flexibility to support new electricity generation capacity, renewable heat and transport, and greater control over UK carbon pricing policy.

Professional services in energy, smart grid design and management, and renewables are singled out as potential export strengths for ‘global Britain’.

The findings also show that energy professionals expect continued energy efficiency investments, and for most cars to be low-carbon even before a proposed 2040 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.

“But this doesn’t allow us to say we have shaken off past uncertainties,” Brinded continued. “The fog surrounding Brexit has thickened despite negotiations being a year further on.

“Answers to key questions are needed. Energy is critical to the UK’s economic prosperity and social wellbeing and must not be left to chance.”

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